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Fumes Across the Fence-Line

It is not a coincidence

that so many African Americans live near oil gas development. Historically, polluting facilities have often been built in or near African American communities.

Each year, the oil and gas industry recklessly dumps 9 million tons of methane and toxic pollutants into our air, disproportionately impacting the health of African American communities across the country.

The oil and natural gas industries violate the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) air quality standards for ozone smog due to natural gas emissions in many African American communities, causing over 138,000 asthma attacks among school children and over 100,000 missed school days each year;

There are 91 counties across the U.S. that are building oil refineries or where refineries exist close to more than 6.7 million African Americans, disproportionately exposing the community to toxic and hazardous emissions such as benzene, sulfur dioxide and formaldehyde.

The NAACP’s Environmental and Climate Justice Program, in partnership with the Clean Air Task Force and with support from the National Medical Association, developed the study, Fumes Across the Fence-Line: The Health Impacts of Air Pollution from Oil and Gas Facilities on African American Communities.

Today's #BlackHistoryMonth highlight: The @NAACP's vision is to ensure a society where all people have equal rights without racial discrimination. We strive to empower those who are dedicated to improving our world! To learn more about this #org, visit: https://t.co/Ec7MQZEScg